I watched Liverpool beat Fulham — Arne Slot must make bold selection vs PSG

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Rio Ngumoha HAS to play against Paris Saint-Germain.Like so many Liverpool fans, I have been frustrated with some of Arne Slot’s decisions of late, and yes, serious questions do need to be asked about his future if the Reds fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League.If there is one area though where I have tended to agree with the Dutchman, it is in his cautious approach with Ngumoha. It’s incredible to think how long ago that was now.I don’t want to see another young talent breaking down, so I’ve never been quite as gung-ho as the likes of Jamie Carragher or Steven Gerrard in calling for Ngumoha to start more games.After his performance against Fulham on Saturday though, you just can’t leave that sort of talent on the bench, even if you’ve got the defending European champions next with only two days’ rest in between.It’s no exaggeration to say Ngumoha was the difference against Fulham.

Liverpool deserved its lead at half-time, but there was a danger of the game following an all too familiar pattern before the 17-year-old struck.Rio Ngumoha made a case to start against PSG that simply can't be ignored(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Just like against Manchester City the week previous, Liverpool had enjoyed a positive opening half-hour before its opponent began to find its way into the game.It’s at those moments you need someone to take proceedings by the scruff of the neck, and Ngumoha — five years the junior of the next youngest player on the pitch for Liverpool — took that upon himself with a sumptuous finish that the man on the opposite side of the field would have been proud of at his peak.It did feel more than a little symbolic that both Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah scored on Saturday. With the Egyptian leaving in the summer, it almost felt like a passing of the torch to Liverpool’s next great winger.That might still feel like unnecessary pressure to put on a player who isn’t technically an adult yet, but there’s no denying that Ngumoha is ready for his chance against PSG now, and even Slot seems to know that.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.

But now he’s just someone I can pick for any game. He must start against PSG.James Findlater James Findlater is a Content Editor for Liverpool.com, bringing nearly a decade of experience to his coverage of Liverpool FC and the wider football landscape.